Name/Title
Dell O'DellEntry/Object ID
2022.30.7Description
Dell O'Dell performing at the Knights of Magic Show with her cow machine, 1941Context
Born Nell Odella Newton in 1897, Dell O'Dell was a circus performer, magician, author, actress, and owner who performed from the late 1920's to the late 1950's. O'Dell started performing at a young age with many talents such as juggling, balancing, and rope walking within her father, Lucky Bill Newton's, circus. In 1931 O'Dell married Charles Carrer, a famous juggler. Carrer assisted O'Dell with prop repairs, prop construction, and management of performance. During O'Dell's career, she gained the rights of Frank Van Hoven's magic comedy act. O'Dell modified the act to her character and performed Van Hoven's act for several tours. O'Dell performed in an array of venues throughout the United States.
In 1951, O'Dell gained her own show on television in Los Angeles, California called "the Dell O'Dell Show," where she performed her magic performances on the big screen. O'Dell had also written several articles within a column called "Dell-lightfully" in magazine "The Linking Ring" throughout the 1940's. O'Dell has written numerous book on magic performance routines, some being "Presenting Magical Moments" and "On Both Sides of the Footlights." O'Dell in the 1950's bought the Abbott's Magic Store in Hollywood, California after it had shut down due to fire. O'Dell passed away in 1962.Collection
Robert & Elaine Lund Archives & Special Collections